CN114402665A

CN114402665A - Antenna module placement and housing for reduced power density exposure

Info

Publication number: CN114402665A
Application number: CN202080064958.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: R.马利克; M.A.塔苏德吉; J.詹瓦塔纳韦特; J.H.朴
Original assignee: Qualcomm Inc
Current assignee: Qualcomm Inc
Priority date: 2019-09-23
Filing date: 2020-07-15
Publication date: 2022-04-26
Also published as: WO2021061258A1; BR112022004301A2; EP4035225A1; JP2022548896A; US20220217656A1; US10749248B1; TW202114287A; KR20220062527A

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. In some systems, a User Equipment (UE) may use transmissions that result in Power Density Exposure (PDE) to nearby users. To reduce the PDE of the antenna module (e.g., below the maximum PDE threshold), the UE may implement a shielding band around the antenna module. For example, an antenna module may include a substrate having a first surface and a set of antenna elements on the first surface. The shielding tape may surround the set of antenna elements of the antenna module and extend outwardly from the first surface over the antenna elements. The shielding tape may reduce the PDE outside the field of view of the antenna module. Furthermore, in some cases, the placement of the antenna module in the UE and the materials used to construct the UE may further reduce the PDE.

Description

Antenna module placement and housing for reduced power density exposure

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This patent application claims priority from us patent application No. 16/579,522 to Malik et al entitled "Antenna Module Placement and Housing for Reduced Power sensitivity Exposure" filed on 23.9.2019, which is assigned to its assignee.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to antenna module placement and housing for reduced Power Density Exposure (PDE).

Background

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be able to support communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple-access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-advanced (LTE-a) systems, or LTE-a Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems, which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ techniques such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), or discrete fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiple access (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple-access communication system may include multiple base stations or network access nodes, each supporting communication for multiple communication devices (which may otherwise be referred to as User Equipment (UE)) simultaneously.

In some wireless communication systems, a UE may use millimeter wave (mmW) transmissions for wireless communication. For example, NR systems may use Time Division Duplex (TDD) mmW for both uplink and downlink transmissions (e.g., within the same frequency band). Regulatory agencies may impose limits on the amount of mmW Power Density Exposure (PDE) that a human (e.g., user) may experience using a mmW device. For example, a regulatory body such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the united states may specify that the exposure to a user should be less than a given amount of power per unit area when averaged over a given area and time period. The requirement for limiting the PDE for the user may result in difficulty in maintaining radio coverage while minimizing power consumption and may result in lower communication quality.

Disclosure of Invention

The described technology relates to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatus supporting antenna module placement and housing for reduced Power Density Exposure (PDE). In general, the described techniques provide for maintaining a Power Density (PD) level during transmission using a shielding band of an antenna module to conform the UE to a maximum PDE threshold. In some wireless communication systems, a User Equipment (UE) may establish a PDE transmission (e.g., millimeter wave (mmW) transmission) that results in a user of the UE or other nearby users. To reduce the PDE for the antenna module (e.g., below the maximum PDE threshold), the UE may implement a shielding band around the antenna module. For example, an antenna module may include a substrate and a set of antenna elements on a first surface of the substrate. The shielding tape may surround (e.g., form a continuous loop around) the set of antenna elements (e.g., all elements of the module) and extend outwardly from the radiating surface above the first surface. The shielding strip may be a component of the antenna module, or may be built into or attached to the housing of the UE. The shield strips may be grounded or floating and may reduce the PDE outside the field of view of the antenna module. Moreover, in some cases, the PDE may be further reduced due to the antenna module, the placement of the antenna module in the UE, the materials used to construct the UE, or both.

An antenna module is described. The antenna module may be an example of an apparatus. The antenna module may include: the antenna assembly includes a substrate having a first surface, a set of antenna elements on the first surface, and a shielding strip surrounding the set of antenna elements and extending outwardly from the first surface of the substrate, wherein an upper edge of the shielding strip is above the set of antenna elements. The shielding tape may reduce the PDE (e.g., outside the field of view of the sensor or antenna module).

In some examples of the antenna modules described herein, the lower edge of the shielding tape may be at or above the first surface of the substrate.

In some examples of the antenna modules described herein, the substrate comprises a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), the set of antenna elements may be on the PCB, and the shielding tape may be external to the PCB.

In some examples of the antenna module described herein, the PCB may further comprise a plating member surrounding each antenna element of the set of antenna elements, wherein the plating member may be on the PCB. These plating members may be examples of individual wells etched into the PCB for each antenna element, and may provide some shielding and/or isolation for the antenna elements. The shielding tape may provide significant additional PDE shielding for the entire antenna module.

In some examples of the antenna modules described herein, the shielding tape may be at or above a perimeter of the PCB. Placing the shield strips at the perimeter of the PCB may optimize the shielding for a given shield strip height without modifying the PCB.

In some examples of the antenna module described herein, an upper edge of the shielding strip may be configured to be flush with an outer casing of the UE. This may optimize the height of the shielding tape without reducing the usability and form design of the UE enclosure.

In some examples of the antenna modules described herein, the height of the shielding tape from the first surface of the substrate may be based on: a predetermined PDE threshold, or a field of view of a set of antenna elements, or a field of view of a sensor, or a combination thereof. Such a design may improve PDE masking in cases where PDE detection is not supported.

In some examples of the antenna modules described herein, the shielding strip may be electrically coupled to a ground plane of the antenna module.

In some other examples of the antenna modules described herein, the shielding strip may be electrically isolated from a ground plane of the antenna module.

In some examples of the antenna modules described herein, one or more electronic components may be mounted on a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface of the substrate.

In some examples of the antenna modules described herein, the set of antenna elements comprises at least a set of patch antennas, or a set of slot antennas, or a set of dipole antennas, or a combination thereof, forming an antenna array.

A UE is described. The UE may be an example of an apparatus. The UE may include: a housing having an outer surface; an antenna module mounted within the housing, wherein the antenna module includes a set of antenna elements on a first surface of the substrate; and a shielding strip surrounding the set of antenna transmit uplink signal line elements and extending outwardly from the first surface of the substrate, wherein an upper edge of the shielding strip is above the set of antenna elements. The shielding tape may reduce the PDE (e.g., outside the field of view of the sensor or antenna module).

In some examples of the UE described herein, the first surface of the substrate may be recessed from an outer surface of the housing from a radiation direction of the antenna module. This may allow the shielding tape to be inside the UE enclosure, supporting the usability of the UE.

In some examples of the UE described herein, the lower edge of the shielding tape may be at or above the first surface of the substrate.

In some examples of the UE described herein, the antenna module comprises a shielding strip, or the housing comprises a portion of a shielding strip.

In some examples of the UE described herein, the outer surface of the housing includes a screen oriented on a first side of the antenna module and a back surface oriented on a second side of the antenna module opposite the screen, the back surface including a first conductive surface.

In some examples of the UE described herein, the UE includes a second conductive surface oriented on a first side of the antenna module opposite the back surface, wherein the screen includes the second conductive surface, or the second conductive surface may be mounted on a back side of the screen. The second conductive surface may match (or replicate) the properties of the first conductive surface such that the PDE is symmetrical (or nearly symmetrical) between the front surface and the back surface of the UE. A semi-symmetric PDE may support optimal masking because one face of the UE may not experience significantly more PDEs than the other.

In some examples of the UE described herein, the height of the shielding tape from the first surface of the substrate may be based on: a predetermined PDE threshold, or a field of view of the set of antenna elements, or a combination thereof. Such a design may improve PDE masking in cases where PDE detection is not supported.

In some examples of the UE described herein, the UE may include a sensor to measure the PDE, wherein a height of the masking strip from the first surface of the substrate may be based on a field of view of the sensor. Such a design may improve PDE masking in cases where PDE detection is not supported.

In some examples of the UE described herein, the shielding strip may be electrically coupled to a ground plane of the antenna module.

In some other examples of the UE described herein, the shielding strip may be electrically isolated from a ground plane of the antenna module.

In some examples of the UE described herein, the set of antenna elements comprises a set of patch antennas forming an antenna array.

In some examples of the UE described herein, an upper edge of the shielding strip may be at or below an outer surface of the housing in a radiation direction of the antenna module. This may optimize the height of the shielding tape without reducing the usability and form design of the UE enclosure.

An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The apparatus may further include an antenna module, the antenna module comprising: a substrate having a first surface; and a set of antenna elements on the first surface; and a shielding strip surrounding the set of antenna elements and extending outwardly from the first surface. In some examples of the apparatus described herein, the apparatus may additionally comprise a detector. In some examples of the apparatus described herein, the apparatus may additionally include a second antenna module comprising: a second substrate having a second surface; and a second set of antenna elements on the second surface; and a second shielding strip surrounding the second set of antenna elements and extending outwardly from the second surface.

A method for wireless communication at a UE is described. The method can comprise the following steps: determining a transmit power of a communication beam for the UE based on a PDE threshold for the communication beam for the UE and a shielding band of a set of antenna elements enclosed on a first surface of an antenna module of the UE, the shielding band enclosing the set of antenna elements being above the first surface; and transmitting an uplink signal using the antenna module using the communication beam and according to the determined transmission power.

An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: determining a transmit power of a communication beam for the UE based on a PDE threshold for the communication beam for the UE and a shielding band of a set of antenna elements enclosed on a first surface of an antenna module of the UE, the shielding band enclosing the set of antenna elements being above the first surface; and transmitting an uplink signal using the antenna module using the communication beam and according to the determined transmission power.

Another apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include: means for determining a transmit power of a communication beam for the UE based on a PDE threshold for the communication beam for the UE and a shielding band of a set of antenna elements enclosed on a first surface of an antenna module of the UE, the shielding band enclosing the set of antenna elements being above the first surface; and means for transmitting an uplink signal using the antenna module using the communication beam and according to the determined transmission power.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a UE is described. The code may include instructions executable by the processor to: determining a transmit power of a communication beam for the UE based on a PDE threshold for the communication beam for the UE and a shielding band of a set of antenna elements enclosed on a first surface of an antenna module of the UE, the shielding band enclosing the set of antenna elements being above the first surface; and transmitting an uplink signal using the antenna module using the communication beam and according to the determined transmission power.

Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: determining a second transmit power for a second communication beam for the UE based on a second PDE threshold for the second communication beam for the UE and a second masking band encompassing a second plurality of antenna elements; and transmitting a second uplink signal using a second antenna module and a second communication beam based on the determined second transmission power. Such examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may support optimized PDE shielding for multiple antenna arrays of different configurations for the same UE.

Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: a maximum transmit power for the communication beam is identified based on a PDE threshold for the communication beam and a masking band that encompasses the set of antenna elements, where the transmit power may be determined based on the identified maximum transmit power. Basing the maximum transmit power on the properties of the shield band may support an increased maximum transmit power for the antenna array, thereby improving transmit power and/or reliability.

Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: identifying one or more candidate communication beams for the UE; determining a respective PDE characteristic for each of the one or more candidate communication beams; and selecting a communication beam from the one or more candidate communication beams, wherein the communication beam comprises a first PDE characteristic, a transmit power for the communication beam may be determined based on the first PDE characteristic, and the communication beam may be selected based on at least: an uplink grant for the UE, or a power level of the UE, or a projected PDE of the communication beam, or a first PDE characteristic, or a combination thereof. Basing communication beam selection on PDE characteristics of the beams due to the properties of the masking band may support improved beam selection (e.g., for improved transmission reliability).

Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: detecting a PDE level of a communication beam, wherein selecting the communication beam is based on the detected PDE level. In addition to implementing the masking band, the detection PDE may also optimize transmit power while supporting specified PDE constraints.

In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the antenna module comprises a shielding tape.

Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system supporting antenna module placement and housing for reduced Power Density Exposure (PDE) according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a device schematic supporting antenna module placement and housing for a reduced PDE according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3A and 3B illustrate examples of antenna module configurations supporting antenna module placement and housings for reduced PDEs according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4A and 4B illustrate examples of device configurations that support antenna module placement and housing for a reduced PDE according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 shows an example of a process flow supporting antenna module placement and housing for a reduced PDE according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 shows a block diagram of a device supporting antenna module placement and housing for a reduced PDE according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a system including a device supporting antenna module placement and housing for a reduced PDE according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 and 9 show flowcharts of methods of supporting antenna module placement and housing for a reduced PDE according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

In some wireless communication systems, a User Equipment (UE) may transmit using a technique that results in a Power Density Exposure (PDE), such as millimeter wave (mmW) techniques. The Power Density (PD) profile of a UE may be based in part on the form factor (e.g., shape, physical proportions, etc.) of the UE, the material of the UE, or both. In some cases, the PDE from the sending UE may have a detrimental effect on the operating UE or users in the vicinity of the UE. Thus, the UE may be implemented to meet a maximum PDE threshold to limit the PDEs experienced by the user.

To maintain the PD level below the maximum PDE threshold (e.g., while maintaining coverage, reducing power consumption, improving communication quality, etc.), an antenna module for mmW transmission may be housed and located within the UE to reduce the PDE for users operating or in the vicinity of the UE. In some cases, the antenna module may operate in a frequency band above 10 gigahertz (GHz). The UE may use a sensor, sensor array, or other sensing mechanism as part of the antenna module to identify the PD level and control the power output of the antenna based on the PD level. In some cases, depending on the sensing mechanism implemented by the UE, the UE may not be able to accurately determine certain regions of the PDE. For example, the PDE may occur outside the field of view of an antenna module having a sensing mechanism. Some methods for limiting the PDE may not support evaluating the PDE outside the field of view of the antenna module, while other methods may set a constant limit on the antenna transmit power, which may reduce the transmission capability of the wireless device. Additionally or alternatively, some sensing mechanisms may not be able to measure PDEs on the non-radiating plane of the UE, as these sensing mechanisms may be aligned with the radiating plane of the UE. To ensure that the maximum PDE threshold is not exceeded in any area due to mmW transmissions, module placement and housing may account for PD detection and sensing limitations.

In some examples, the UE may include a shielding band around the radiating element of the antenna module to reduce the PDE. The masking band may allow for higher transmit power while reducing the PDE on the non-radiating plane of the UE, thereby enabling the UE to meet the PDE threshold, e.g., by reaching or falling below a maximum PDE. The shielding tape may be composed of a three-dimensional (3D) metal or other conductive structure that surrounds the radiating elements of the antenna module (e.g., the antennas that form the antenna array of the antenna module). For example, the shielding tape may form a continuous loop around all antenna elements of the antenna module, thereby enclosing the antenna elements when viewed perpendicular to the surface on which the antenna elements are located or attached. For example, the antenna element may be on a surface of a substrate, where "on. The shield band may form a perimeter around the antenna element on the surface of the substrate.

In some cases, the shielding tape may have a rectangular profile when viewed perpendicular to the plane of the radiating element. In other cases, the shielding tape may have a different profile, for example, a circular or elliptical profile. The shielding tape may be attached or coupled to the same surface as the radiating element, may be located above the surface of the radiating element, or have a height that spans from the surface of the radiating element to a height above the surface. In some cases, the shielding tape may also extend below the surface of the substrate.

The shielding strip may be designed to reduce near field exposure while limiting any impact on the far field characteristics of the antenna module. For example, any impact of the masking strip on the Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) at the receiving device may be mitigated. The shielding strips may be examples of floating metal cavities (e.g., on a dielectric substrate) or grounded metal cavities (e.g., connected to a ground plane). Implementing a shielding tape may block a large number of PDEs in the non-radiating direction. Thus, a UE or antenna module implementing the shielding strip may not use sensors or may reduce the use of sensors in these directions, which may reduce the complexity of the UE or antenna module, or increase power efficiency at the UE, or both.

In some examples, the antenna module and the shielding strip may be located in a cavity recessed within one face of the UE (such as a side, front, back, bottom, or top face of the UE). The recessed cavity may be designed to accommodate the shielding tape and any interface of the shielding tape with the walls of the UE such that the shielding tape is not exposed outside of the UE. The depth of the antenna module recess from the face of the UE may be selected to support a range of transmission angles and may be based on the form factor of the UE. Furthermore, in some cases, the PDE from mmW transmissions may be asymmetric on the device (e.g., despite symmetric placement of the antenna modules). For example, the back side of the UE (e.g., at the surface) may experience more PDEs than the front side of the UE (e.g., at the surface). In some cases, such differences may be based on different materials used for these surfaces (such as a screen for the UE). To limit the spread of PD distribution on the back side of the UE, the antenna module may be housed asymmetrically in the device, or the UE may include additional material on the back side to shield the PDE (e.g., similar to the material used on the front side or to provide similar electrical or other material characteristics).

Aspects of the present disclosure are first described in the context of a wireless communication system. Additional aspects of the disclosure are described with reference to device and antenna module configurations and process flows. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flow diagrams related to antenna module placement and housing for reduced PDEs.

Fig. 1 shows an example of a wireless communication system 100 supporting antenna module placement and housing for a reduced PDE in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 100 may include base stations 105, UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an LTE-advanced (LTE-a) network, an LTE-a Pro network, or a New Radio (NR) network. In some cases, the wireless communication system 100 may support enhanced broadband communications, ultra-reliable (e.g., mission-critical) communications, low latency communications, communications with low cost and low complexity devices, or any combination thereof.

Base stations 105 may be dispersed throughout a geographic region to form wireless communication system 100 and may be of different forms or devices with different capabilities. The base stations 105 and UEs 115 may communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125. Each base station 105 may provide a coverage area 110, and the UEs 115 and base stations 105 may establish communication links 125 over the coverage areas 110. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area over which the base stations 105 and UEs 115 support signal communication according to one or more radio access technologies.

UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout the coverage area 110 of the wireless communication system 100, and each UE115 may be stationary at different times, or mobile, or both. The UE115 may be a different form or device with different capabilities. Some example UEs 115 are shown in fig. 1. The UEs 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115, base stations 105, and/or network devices (e.g., core network nodes, relay devices, Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) nodes, or other network devices), as shown in fig. 1.

The base stations 105 may communicate with the core network 130, or with each other, or both. For example, the base stations 105 may interface with the core network 130 over the backhaul links 120 (e.g., via S1, N2, N3, or other interfaces). The base stations 105 can communicate with each other directly (e.g., directly between the base stations 105) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130), or both, over the backhaul links 120 (e.g., via X2, Xn, or other interfaces). In some examples, backhaul link 120 may be or may include one or more wireless links.

One or more of the base stations 105 described herein may include or may be referred to by those of ordinary skill in the art as a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB), a next generation NodeB or gigabit-NodeB (any of which may be referred to as a gNB), a home NodeB, a home eNodeB, or other suitable terminology.

The UE115 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable terminology, where a "device" may also be referred to as a unit, station, terminal, or client, among other examples. The UE115 may also include or may be referred to as a personal electronic device, such as a cellular telephone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, the UE115 may include or be referred to as a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, an internet of things (IoT) device, an internet of everything (IoE) device, or a Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, etc., which may be implemented in various objects such as appliances, vehicles, meters, etc.

The UEs 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115 that may sometimes act as relays, as well as base stations 105 and network devices, including macro enbs or gnbs, small cell enbs or gnbs, relay base stations, and so forth, as shown in fig. 1.

The UE115 and the base station 105 may communicate wirelessly with each other via one or more communication links 125 over one or more carriers. The term "carrier" may refer to a set of radio frequency spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting the communication link 125. For example, the carrier used for the communication link 125 may comprise a portion of a radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth portion (BWP)) that operates according to physical layer channels of a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE-A, LTE-a Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling coordinating operation for the carriers, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communication system 100 may support communication with UEs 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. According to a carrier aggregation configuration, a UE115 may be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers. Carrier aggregation may be used with both Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) component carriers and Time Division Duplex (TDD) component carriers.

In some cases, the UE115 may also be able to communicate directly with other UEs 115 (e.g., using peer-to-peer (P2P) or D2D protocols) over the device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135. One or more UEs 115 communicating with D2D may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 105. Other UEs 115 in this group may be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 105 or otherwise unable to receive transmissions from the base station 105.

Wireless communication system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands, typically in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). Typically, the region from 300MHz to 3GHz is referred to as the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because wavelengths range from about one decimeter to one meter in length. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by building and environmental features, but the waves may be sufficiently penetrating the structure for the macro cell to provide service to the UE115 located indoors. UHF-wave transmission can be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) compared to transmission of smaller frequencies and longer wavelengths using the High Frequency (HF) or Very High Frequency (VHF) portion of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

The wireless communication system 100 may also operate in the ultra-high frequency (SHF) region using a frequency band from 3GHz to 30GHz (also referred to as the centimeter band) or in the Extremely High Frequency (EHF) region of the spectrum (e.g., from 30GHz to 300GHz) (also referred to as the millimeter band). In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support millimeter wave (mmW) communication between the UE115 and the base station 105, and EHF antennas of respective devices may be smaller and more closely spaced than UHF antennas. In some cases, this may facilitate the use of antenna arrays within a device. However, the propagation of EHF transmissions may suffer from greater atmospheric attenuation and shorter range than SHF or UHF transmissions. The techniques disclosed herein may be employed across transmissions using one or more different frequency regions, and the specified use of frequency bands across these frequency regions may vary by country or regulatory agency.

A base station 105 or UE115 may be equipped with multiple antennas, which may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or beamforming. The antennas of a base station 105 or UE115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels (which may support MIMO operation or transmit or receive beamforming). For example, the UE115 may have one or more antenna arrays capable of supporting various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna panel may support radio frequency beamforming for signals transmitted via the antenna ports. The base station 105 or UE115 may utilize multipath signal propagation using MIMO communication and improve spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. Such a technique may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. For example, multiple signals may be transmitted by a transmitting device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Also, multiple signals may be received by a receiving device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas.

Beamforming, which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signal processing technique that may be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., base station 105 or UE 115) to form or steer an antenna beam (e.g., transmit beam, receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming may be achieved by combining signals communicated via antenna elements of an antenna array such that some signals propagating at a particular orientation relative to the antenna array undergo constructive interference while other signals undergo destructive interference. The adjustment to the signal communicated via the antenna element may include the transmitting device or the receiving device applying an amplitude offset, a phase offset, or both, to the signal carried via the antenna element associated with the device. The adjustments associated with each of the antenna elements may be defined by a set of beamforming weights associated with a particular orientation (e.g., relative to an antenna array of a transmitting device or a receiving device, or relative to some other orientation).

When receiving various signals, such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals, from the base station 105, a receiving device (e.g., UE 115) may attempt multiple reception configurations (e.g., directional listening). For example, a receiving device may attempt multiple receive directions by: receiving via different antenna sub-arrays; processing the received signals according to different antenna sub-arrays; receive according to different sets of receive beamforming weights (e.g., different sets of directional listening weights) applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array; or processing received signals according to different sets of receive beamforming weights applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, any of which may be referred to as "listening" according to different receive configurations or receive directions. In some examples, a receiving device may use a single receive configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving data signals). The single receive configuration may be aligned in a beam direction determined based on listening according to different receive configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or otherwise acceptable signal quality based on listening according to multiple beam directions).

A wireless device (e.g., UE 115) may be configured to limit the PDE when transmitting wireless signals (e.g., to the base station 105 or another UE 115). For example, a device may be configured with PDE limits or thresholds that may be met by communications from the device (e.g., to protect people or users in the vicinity of the device). A device may be configured with one or more antenna modules oriented in different directions that may radiate wireless signals in one or more directions. In some cases, the antenna module may radiate signals in one direction, and may consider PDEs in the radiating direction as well as in the non-radiating direction (e.g., consider PDEs on a non-radiating surface of the device).

The device may include a shielding tape associated with the antenna module, where the shielding tape may include one or more conductive surfaces that enclose the antenna within the antenna module. The shield strips may reduce the PDE, reduce manufacturing costs and device complexity, and maintain higher available transmit power. For example, the shielding tape may reduce the PDE in the non-radiating direction without requiring additional sensors or reducing transmit power. A device configured with a shielding strip enclosing an antenna element within its antenna module may take into account shielding caused by the presence or appearance of the shielding strip when configuring signal transmission. For example, the device may calculate the transmit power of the signal based on the configuration of the masking band and based on one or more PDE constraints, where the transmit power calculation may take into account lower resulting PDEs due to the presence of the masking band. The shielding strips associated with the antenna modules may be configured with various shapes, heights, or cross-sections to limit the PDE in the device according to PDE limits or thresholds. In some cases, the shielding tape may be included within (e.g., attached to or integrated with) the housing of the device or on the antenna module.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a device 205 including an antenna module placement and housing supporting a reduced PDE in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Device 205 may illustrate an example structure, including an antenna module structure and a housing. In some examples, the device 205 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100, and in some cases, the device 205 may represent the UE115 described with reference to fig. 1. As described with reference to fig. 1, device 205 may transmit and receive wireless signals using one or more antennas 210 of antenna module 215 (e.g., mounted to a housing of device 205). The antenna 210 may be formed with, attached to, adhered to, or otherwise coupled to or over a substrate or other portion (e.g., surface) of the antenna module 215. In some cases, the antenna 210 may be coupled with the antenna module 215 and may be above, at, or within a surface of a substrate of the antenna module 215.

For example, the device 205 may use the one or more antennas 210 to transmit mmW signals to the base station 105 (e.g., the base station 105 described with reference to fig. 1) or another device (e.g., the UE 115). In some cases, the mmW signals may be beamformed or directionally shaped by one or more antennas 210 of the antenna module 215. Some antenna modules 215 may be configured to maintain a given coverage quality and reduce power consumption by using far-field radiation characteristics and/or placement of the antenna modules 215. The far-field radiation characteristic may include directionality of the signal (e.g., directional strength or power), fading factor of the signal (e.g., power as a function of distance), and so forth. In some cases, the radiating face of antenna module 215 may be placed flush with the outer surface of the housing of device 205, while in other cases, the radiating face of antenna module 215 may be recessed from the outer surface or face of the housing of device 205.

Some wireless devices (e.g., device 205) may also be subject to one or more regulatory body-enacted regulations regarding the degree of PDE or signal power allowed in the vicinity of a person (e.g., the user of device 205). In some cases, the regulations may limit the power per area (e.g., intensity) allowed on a given area of the device housing (e.g., averaged over a given period of time). For example, a PDE is specified that may account for exposure to mmW signals of a user when four square centimeters (cm) in four seconds²) Should be less than 1 milliwatt (mW)/cm when averaged over an area of². Additionally or alternatively, some wireless devices (e.g., device 205) may be configured to limit signal power or PDE (e.g., mmW signal power or PDE) in the vicinity of a person (e.g., a user of device 205) regardless of whether there is any provision for signal power exposure. For example, an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) may determine to limit the mmW signal strength (e.g., PDE) allowed over a given area of the device housing (e.g., averaged over a given period of time).

Thus, some wireless devices may be configured to meet PDE constraints (e.g., imposed by regulations or configured by OEMs). In some cases, the wireless device may be configured to limit signal transmit power (e.g., uplink transmit power) such that the resulting PDE does not exceed the PDE limit. However, this configuration may limit the signaling capabilities (e.g., uplink capabilities) of the device (e.g., based on the link budget and Wide Area Network (WAN) or cellular deployment cases). For example, if the face of the antenna module 215 is covered by a human hand, the uplink duty cycle may be reduced by 98% in order to meet the PDE limit.

In some cases, the wireless device may be configured with a sensor to detect the presence of a person (e.g., a user) near the antenna module 215, and if a person is detected, the transmission properties of one or more antennas 210 may be adjusted. Some examples of adjusting transmission properties may include switching signal transmission to another antenna module 215 of the device, which may reduce the link capability of the transmission. Some other examples of adjusting transmission properties may include selectively limiting signal transmission power on one or more antennas 210 of the antenna module 215.

Some devices may include internal sensors to detect the presence of a person. For example, the device may utilize components of the antenna module 215 to transmit and receive detection signals and perform detection based on the received signals. The device may additionally or alternatively use a dedicated signal or a task mode signal (e.g., radar) to detect the presence of a person. Some devices may include external sensors to detect the presence of a person using device components other than the antenna module. Examples of external sensors may include light sensors, capacitive sensors, proximity sensors, and the like. In some cases, the external sensor may be included in the antenna module 215, while in other cases, the external sensor may be included in the device and external to the antenna module 215. Combinations of different sensors may be used to detect the presence of a person, and in some cases, combining different sensors may include integrating each sensor into a device as well as with each other. Such integration may result in additional time and money spent by the OEM.

Further, using a sensor to detect the presence of a person may include considering sensor accuracy and field of view to ensure that a person can be accurately detected when in the range of power exposure or field of view from a given signal. For example, the device 205 may transmit (e.g., radiate) a signal (e.g., a mmW signal) in a radiation direction 225 from a top surface 230 of a housing of the device 205. Signal power may be transmitted in a radiation direction 225 (e.g., a radiation direction) and may radiate through the top surface 230. Signal power may also radiate through the front 235, side 240, and back 245 of the housing of device 205. If the PDE is not considered or the presence of a person is not accurately detected, undesirable PDEs may occur on non-radiative surfaces (e.g., front 235, sides 240, and back 245). For example, the device 205 may radiate a signal through its top surface 230 and may measure the PDE on the top surface 230. However, the PDE may also be present on the back side 245 of the device 205. In one example, the PDE on the back side 245 may be different from the PDE present on the top side 230, e.g., the PDE at the back side 245 may be 70% of the PDE present on the top side 230.

To account for PDEs on non-radiating surfaces (e.g., front 235, sides 240, and back 245), additional sensors may be installed in device 205, or PDE calculations may be configured to assume that a person is present on certain sides. In one example, it is assumed that the presence may reduce the uplink duty cycle, for example by 30%, in order to meet the PDE constraints. As described above, for an OEM, integrating additional sensors may result in additional time, cost, or both. Accordingly, device 205 may include a shielding strip 220, the shielding strip 220 including one or more conductive surfaces surrounding antenna 210 to reduce PDE, reduce manufacturing costs and device complexity, and maintain higher transmit power. For example, the shielding tape 220 may reduce PDE in non-radiating directions (e.g., via the front 235, bottom, sides 240, and back 245 in the example of the radiating direction 225) without requiring additional sensors or reducing transmit power. Although shielding tape 220 is described with respect to antenna modules 215 oriented in a radiation direction 225 through top surface 230, the same principles may be applied to shielding tape 220 associated with antenna modules 215 oriented in other directions. For example, antenna module 215 may be oriented in a radiation direction through front 235, through any side 240, through back 245, or through the bottom surface of device 205.

The device 205 configured with the shielding tape 220 may take into account the shielding introduced by the shielding tape 220 when configuring signal transmission. For example, the device 205 may calculate the transmit power of the signal based on the configuration of the masking strip 220 and based on one or more PDE constraints. The transmit power calculation may take into account the lower resulting PDE due to the presence or appearance of the masking strip 220. For example, the lower PDE caused by the masking strip 220 may be estimated or calculated based on the transmitted simulation results, PDE measurements (e.g., historical PDE measurements using one or more sensors), or both. The transmit power calculation may also be based on one or more of the following: beam direction, height of the shield strips, shape of the shield strips, adjusted transmit power, or one or more other transmit power parameters, among other examples. In some cases, the calculated transmit power for the signal may be higher than the calculated transmit power for the signal without the masking strip 220 (e.g., the transmit power may be higher when the masking strip 220 is present or present in the device 205).

In one example, the shielding tape 220 may be oriented on a surface of the antenna module 215 facing the radiation direction 225 (e.g., a radiation surface of the antenna module 215). The shielding tape 220 may surround all of the antennas 210 of the antenna module and may conform to any cross-sectional shape to do so. For example, the shielding strips 220 may be arranged in a circle, square, oval, rectangle, octagon, or any other cross-sectional shape that may conform to the arrangement of the antenna modules 215 and antennas 210. In some cases, the shielding tape 220 may be embedded in the antenna module 215 and may be flush with the top of the antenna module 215. In other cases (e.g., corresponding to a recessed antenna module 215), the shielding strip 220 may be embedded in the antenna module 215 and may extend a distance outward from the antenna module 215 in the radiation direction 225. In some examples, the shielding strip 220 may start slightly above the antenna module 215 and may extend a certain distance in the radiation direction 225.

In some cases, such as where protruding from antenna module 215, shielding tape 220 may be flush with top surface 230 of the housing of device 205, or may be held a predetermined distance from top surface 230. In some cases, antenna module 215 may be mounted to a housing of device 205 and shielding strip 220 may be formed as part of the housing of device 205, where an upper edge of shielding strip 220 may be flush with the housing of device 205 or recessed a predetermined distance from the housing of device 205. The height or other physical characteristics of the shielding strips 220 on a particular antenna module 215 may be configured based on one or more factors, such as a predetermined PDE threshold, the field of view of the antenna 210, the field of view of the sensor, the shape of the housing of the device 205, the communication configuration for the device 205, PD characteristics of one or more communication beams (e.g., transmit beams) of the device 205, one or more beam characteristics of the device 205, and so forth. For example, the shielding strips 220 may be configured to have a defined height or shape or be made of a defined material based on the beam coverage (e.g., maximum beam coverage) achieved when limiting the PDE.

Additionally or alternatively, the shielding tape 220 may form part of the housing of the device 205. For example, a portion of the housing on the front side 235 of the device 205 may form a portion of a conductive surface, which may be used as part of the shielding tape 220. In one example, a portion of screen 250 (e.g., the back side of screen 250) may form a portion of the conductive surface of shielding tape 220. In some cases, screen 250 may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen that includes a conductive surface or plane. Similarly, a portion of the housing on the back side 245 of the device 205 may form a portion of a conductive surface or plane, which may serve, at least in part, as a portion of the shielding tape 220.

Fig. 3A and 3B illustrate examples of

antenna module configurations

301 and 302 supporting antenna module placement and housing for a reduced PDE according to aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the

antenna module configurations

301 and 302 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100, and in some cases, the

antenna module configurations

301 or 302 may be included in an antenna module of a device, which may be an example of the device 205 described with reference to fig. 2. In some cases, the device may represent the UE115 described with reference to fig. 1. As described with reference to fig. 1 and 2, a device may transmit and receive wireless signals using one or more antenna elements 310 of an

antenna module configuration

301 or 302, where the

antenna module configuration

301 and 302 may include a shielding strip 320 to limit the PDE. The antenna module configuration 301 may show an example of an antenna module viewed from a radiation direction 330 (e.g. from a top or radiation surface of the antenna module). Antenna module configuration 302 may show an example of an antenna module viewed from a direction perpendicular to radiation direction 330 (e.g., from a side of the antenna module when radiation direction 330 passes through a top surface of a device, such as device 205).

Antenna module configurations

301 and 302 may include a substrate 305, an antenna element 310 (e.g., a patch antenna, slot antenna, dipole antenna, etc.), a plating member 315, a shielding tape 320, and other electronic components 325. Examples of substrate 305, antenna element 310, plating member 315, and shielding tape 320 may include and represent substrate 305-a and/or 305-b, antenna element 310-a and/or 310-b, plating member 315-a and/or 315-b, and shielding tape 320-a and/or 320-b, respectively, among other examples.

In some cases, the substrate 305 may be configured as a basic structure for the

antenna module configurations

301 and 302. For example, substrate 305 may be used to house antenna element 310, electronic component 325, plating member 315, and shielding tape 320. The antenna element 310 and other components may be formed with the substrate 305, attached to the substrate 305, adhered to the substrate 305, or otherwise coupled with the substrate 305. In some cases, the antenna element 310 may be coupled with the substrate 305 (e.g., on a first surface of the substrate 305) and may be above, at, or within the first surface of the substrate 305. In some examples, the substrate 305 may be an example of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), where the PCB may include one or more power and ground planes and electrical connections for the antenna element 310, the electronic components 325, and other portions of the device. In some cases, the substrate 305 (e.g., PCB) may include one or more plating members 315 surrounding each of the antenna elements 310, wherein the plating members 315 may be formed fully or partially in the substrate 305.

Plating member 315 may be configured to shield PCB assembly, electronic assembly 325, or other portions of the device from power associated with the radiated signal. Thus, plating member 315 may extend a distance into substrate 305, which may be based on a shielding configuration. The cross-sectional shape of the plating member 315 may be square, circular, rectangular, octagonal, oval, or other shape, and may be based on a shielding configuration. In some cases, the

antenna module configuration

301 or 302 may include connected plating members 315, or may be configured such that only one plating member 315 is included in the

antenna module configuration

301 or 302.

One or more antenna elements 310 may be formed on the substrate 305 and may include one or more patch, slot, dipole, or other antennas. One or more antenna elements 310 may together form an antenna array for transmitting and receiving signals (e.g., mmW and/or beamforming signals) at a device. The antenna element 310 may be configured to transmit and receive wireless signals in one or more directions. For example, the antenna element 310 may be configured to receive and transmit signals in the radiation direction 330, and may also be configured to receive and transmit signals or directional elements of signals from similar directions other than the radiation direction 330. Accordingly, the antenna element 310 may be formed on a radiating surface (e.g., a top surface) of the substrate 305 of the

antenna module configurations

301 and 302.

In some examples, the antenna elements 310 may be arranged linearly as shown for the

antenna module configurations

301 and 302. Such a linear arrangement may provide a compact arrangement for a UE115 or device 205 in which such an

antenna module configuration

301 or 302 is implemented, while providing beamforming using multiple antenna elements. Although four antenna elements 310 are shown for the

antenna module configurations

301 and 302, a different number of antenna elements may be used. For example, two, three, or six antenna elements may be linearly arranged, and also beamforming may be possible.

Similarly, it is also possible to use NxM dimensional arrays (where N is an integer greater than or equal to one and M is the same or a different integer greater than or equal to one) of antenna elements (e.g., two by two or two by four, etc.) and provide multidirectional beamforming. In these examples, the shielding tape 320 may also result in a reduced PDE relative to the absence of such shielding tape 320.

One or more electronic components 325 may also be formed on the substrate 305 and may include a microprocessor, modem, or other passive or active electronic component. One or more electronic components 325 may be formed on a different surface than the radiating surface, such as an opposing surface. In some cases, the electronic components 325 may be shielded from power associated with radiated (e.g., transmitted) signals by a ground plane of the PCB or by one or more plating members 315. In some examples, one or more passive or active electronic components may be on the same side of the PCB as the radiating surface, but outside the area enclosed by the shielding tape 320. In some examples, the area enclosed by the shielding tape 320 does not include electronic components other than the antenna element 310, such that the electronic components of the

antenna module configurations

301 and 302 other than the antenna element 310 are constrained to be located outside the area of the radiating surface enclosed or surrounded by the shielding tape 320.

The shielding tape 320 may also be formed on the substrate 305 on the radiating surfaces of the

antenna module arrangements

301 and 302. The shielding tape 320 may include a conductive material that surrounds, encircles, surrounds, or otherwise forms a perimeter around the antenna element 310. The shielding tape 320 may be configured in any cross-sectional shape, as described with reference to fig. 2. In some cases, the shielding tape 320 may be embedded in the substrate 305, formed on the substrate 305, or may begin at or above the top of the substrate 305 or the antenna element 310 (e.g., the top with reference to the radiation direction 330). For example, there may be a gap between the bottom edge of shield strip 320 and substrate 305 such that the bottom edge of shield strip 320 may begin above substrate 305 with a gap (e.g., a predetermined distance) between shield strip 320 and substrate 305. In some examples, there may be a support mechanism to support the shielding tape 320, wherein, for example, the support mechanism may be made of an insulator. For example, the support mechanism may be placed between the shield tape 320 and the substrate or between the shield tape 320 and the housing of the device, among other examples.

In some examples, shield band 320 may be formed as part of the housing of the device, where an upper edge of shield band 320 may be flush with the housing of the device and a lower edge of shield band 320 may be at a distance above substrate 305 or may be flush with the substrate. It should be understood that although the term "above … …" may describe a case where the masking strip is some distance above the substrate, etc., the term "above … …" may also describe a case where the masking strip is "at the substrate" or flush with the substrate, etc., i.e., where the "distance" may be zero. The shielding tape 320 may extend outward from the substrate 305 in the radiation direction 330 by a shielding height 335 (e.g., the shielding tape 320 may be partially or completely outside the substrate 305). In some cases, the shield height 335 may be based on a distance to a top surface of a housing of the device (e.g., a distance from a bottom, apex, or midpoint of the shield strips 320 to the top surface of the housing), or may be based on a form factor of the device. Additionally or alternatively, the height of the shielding strip 320 may be based on a predetermined PDE threshold, the field of view (e.g., desired field of view) of the antenna element 310, the field of view (e.g., desired field of view) of the sensor, the communication configuration for the device, and/or the like.

In some examples, a top of the antenna element 310 (e.g., or a highest point of the antenna element 310) in the radiation direction 330 from the substrate 305 may define a first plane. In other examples, the first plane may be defined by the lowest point of the antenna element 310, or the first plane may be defined by an intermediate point (e.g., a midpoint) of the height of the antenna element 310. The first plane may be substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate 305 having the radiating element (e.g., the antenna element 310). The shielding tape 320 may extend from the substrate 305 in a radiation direction 330, the extension starting at or above the first plane. In some examples, no portion of the shielding tape 320 can enclose the antenna element 310 below the first plane (e.g., between the first plane and the substrate 305, or below the radiating surface of the substrate 305). In some examples, such as when shield tape 320 may be electrically coupled to ground, e.g., via a ground plane of a PCB, the connector with shield tape 320 may cross the first plane to the substrate, while shield tape 320 itself may be at or above the first plane.

In some examples, the cross-sectional width of the shielding tape 320 (e.g., at selected segments) may be greater than the cross-sectional height. Taking the upper or left segment of the shielding tape 320-a shown in fig. 3A as an example of a selected segment, in a cross section obtained when the segment is cut in a direction perpendicular to the segment, the cross-sectional width may be larger than the cross-sectional height. In other examples, the cross-sectional height of the shielding tape 320 may be greater than the cross-sectional width. In other examples, the height and width of the shielding tape 320 as viewed in cross-section may be substantially equal. In some cases, the height and/or width of the shielding tape 320 may be determined based at least in part on: the field of view of the

antenna module configurations

301 and 302, the expected transmit power for the

antenna module configurations

301 and 302, or a predetermined PDE appropriate for the wireless device (e.g., UE 115) in which the

antenna module configurations

301 and 302 are to be installed, or some combination of these factors. Additionally or alternatively, the height and/or width of the shielding tape 320 may be determined based on the design of the housing of the device.

In some examples, shield band 320 may be along a perimeter of substrate 305 (e.g., PCB) and may coincide with or be offset from the perimeter. In some cases, shield strips 320 may be formed at or over the perimeter of substrate 305. In some cases, shield strips 320 may be electrically coupled to ground of a ground plane, such as a substrate, while in other cases, shield strips 320 may be electrically isolated (e.g., floating) from the ground plane. In some cases, the configuration (e.g., coupled or isolated configuration) of the shield strips 320 relative to the ground plane may be based on the transmit power, PDE reduction, or field of view of the

antenna module configuration

301 or 302.

Shield strips 320 can be formed of a conductor, such as a metal (e.g., copper, aluminum, silver, etc.), a conductive alloy (e.g., various aluminum alloys), a transparent conductive oxide (e.g., zinc oxide (ZnO), Indium Tin Oxide (ITO)), or a doped semiconductor (e.g., doped polysilicon)). In some examples, shield strips 320 may be formed using a single, uniform material. In other examples, shield strips 320 may be formed of two or more different materials, such as in layers of different conductors stacked on or above substrate 305. In some cases, the shielding tape 320 can be formed (e.g., plated) on a housing (e.g., plastic housing) of the device.

Fig. 4A and 4B illustrate examples of

device configurations

401 and 402 supporting antenna module placement and housing for a reduced PDE according to aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples,

device configurations

401 and 402 may implement aspects of wireless communication system 100, and in some cases,

device configurations

401 and 402 may represent a configuration of device 405, and device 405 may be an example of device 205 described with reference to fig. 2. In some cases, the device may represent the UE115 described with reference to fig. 1. Examples of device 405 may include and represent device 405-a and/or 405-b, among other examples. As described with reference to fig. 1-3, the device 405 may transmit and receive wireless signals using one or more antenna modules 415 housed in the device 405, where the one or more antenna modules 415 may include aspects of the

antenna module configurations

301 or 302 described with reference to fig. 3. The antenna module 415 of the

device configuration

401 or 402 may include a shield band or shield band element to limit the PDE when transmitting signals (e.g., mmW and/or beamforming signals).

Device configuration 401 may represent device 405-a viewed from the front side of device 405-a (e.g., along the positive X-direction of coordinate system 425), while device configuration 402 may represent device 405-b viewed from the back side of device 405-b (e.g., along the negative X-direction of coordinate system 425). The devices 405-a and 405-b may include one or more sensors 410 associated with one or more antenna modules 415 of the corresponding device 405. The sensors 410 may correspond to the antenna modules 415 one-to-one, one-to-many, or many-to-one. The sensor 410 of the device 405-a or 405-b may be an internal sensor (e.g., internal to the antenna module 415) or an external sensor, as described with reference to fig. 2. In some cases, the shape (e.g., height) of the shielding tape or shielding tape element of the antenna module 415 may be based on the field of view of the sensor 410 corresponding to the antenna module 415 (e.g., to maintain a given field of view). Examples of sensors 410 and antenna modules 415 may include and represent sensors 410-a and/or 410-b and antenna modules 415-a and/or 415-b, respectively, among other examples.

In some cases, the antenna module 415 may include antenna elements oriented in a plane (e.g., on a radiating surface of the antenna module 415 facing the positive Z direction of the coordinate system 425). In some examples of the device 405-a or 405-b, the shielding strip of the antenna module 415 may surround the antenna element (e.g., as viewed in the positive Z direction), and the shielding strip may form any cross-sectional shape when viewed in the positive Z direction. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the shielding tape may be substantially rectangular, circular, elliptical, or any other shape when viewed in the positive Z-direction. In other examples of devices 405-a or 405-B (e.g., as shown in fig. 4A and 4B), the shielding tape element may not be formed on one or more portions of the antenna module 415 (e.g., oriented toward one or more faces of the devices 405-a or 405-B) such that one or more portions of the antenna module 415 may be shielded by the one or more conductive surfaces 420. In such a case, the shielding tape element of the antenna module 415 together with the one or more conductive surfaces 420 form a shielding tape of the antenna module 415. In some cases, one or more conductive surfaces 420 may be formed (e.g., plated) onto a housing (e.g., plastic housing, screen, etc.) of the device 405-a or 405-b. Examples of conductive surfaces 420 may include and represent conductive surfaces 420-a and/or 420-b, among other examples.

In a first example, the shield strip element may be included at the ends of the antenna module 415 facing the positive Y and negative Y directions of the coordinate system 425, but may not be included at the portions of the antenna module 415 facing the positive X and negative X directions. In a second example, the shield tape element may not be included on any portion of the antenna module 415. In some examples, only a portion of the antenna module (e.g., facing the positive X-direction) may not include the shielding tape element. In other examples, only a portion of the antenna module (e.g., facing the negative X direction) may include the shielding tape element. Any portion of the antenna module (e.g., a given surface facing the device 405-a or 405-b or a given surface facing partially the device 405-a or 405-b) may be selectively configured with or without a shielding tape element. Where one or more portions of the antenna module are not configured with shielding tape elements, the device 405-a or 405-b may instead include one or more conductive surfaces 420 for shielding the antenna module 415 on the corresponding portion of the antenna module 415. In some examples, the shielding tape may comprise at least a portion of a housing of the device 405. In some examples, the antenna module 415 may be mounted to a housing of the device 405 and the shielding strip may comprise a portion of the housing of the device 405, wherein an upper edge, one or more side edges, or both of the shielding strip may be flush with the housing of the device 405.

For example, device 405-a may include a conductive surface 420-a within a front surface (e.g., facing in the positive X direction) of a housing of device 405-a. In some cases, conductive surface 420-a may be a portion of a screen (e.g., an LCD screen) of device 405-a, such as a backplane or ground plane of the screen. In another example, device 405-b may include a conductive surface 420-b in or on a back surface or face (e.g., facing in the negative X direction) of a housing of device 405-b. In some examples, devices 405-a and 405-b may include one or more of conductive surfaces 420-a, 420-b or conductive surfaces 420 oriented toward the sides of the housing of device 405-a or 405-b (e.g., facing in the positive Y and negative Y directions). Although the shielding strip is described with respect to antenna modules 415 having radiating surfaces oriented in the positive Z-direction, the same principles may be applied to shielding strips associated with antenna modules 415 oriented in other directions. For example, the antenna module 415 may be oriented in a radiation direction along a negative Z direction, a negative X or positive X direction, or a negative Y or positive Y direction. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna module 415 may be mounted on any edge (i.e., side) or face (e.g., top edge, bottom edge, side edge, front face, or back face) of the device 405-a.

The number, size, and orientation of the one or more conductive surfaces 420 included within the device may be based on the configuration of the shielding strips or shielding strip elements of the antenna module 415 as described above, as well as other device factors (e.g., form factor, manufacturing concerns, cost, performance, etc.). For example, the antenna module 415 may be disposed in the housing such that the relative positions of the one or more conductive surfaces 420 and the antenna module 415 establish a shielding strip formed by the one or more conductive surfaces 420 (and any shielding strip elements included on a portion of the antenna module 415) having a shape that surrounds or encompasses the set of antenna elements to reduce PDE. The shape (e.g., height) may be based on the field of view of the sensor 410 corresponding to the antenna module 415 (e.g., to maintain the field of view of the sensor 410). Additionally or alternatively, the shape (e.g., height) may be based on the supported communication beam direction for the antenna module 415. In some cases, the shielding tape of the antenna module may be formed entirely by the conductive surface 420 within the housing of the device 405.

Fig. 5 shows an example of a process flow 500 supporting antenna module placement and housing for a reduced PDE in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the process flow 500 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100 and may be implemented by a UE115-a and a base station 105-a, which UE115-a and base station 105-a may be examples of the UE115 and base station 105 described with reference to fig. 1. The UE115-a may also be an example of a device described with reference to fig. 2-4 and may include one or more antenna modules for communicating with the base station 105-a, which may be examples of the antenna modules described with reference to fig. 2-4. For example, one or more antenna modules of UE115-a may each include a set of antenna elements and a shielding band surrounding or encompassing the set of antenna elements to reduce PDE. Additionally or alternatively, portions of UE115-a may contain conductive surfaces that act as shielding strips for one or more antenna modules.

In the following description of process flow 500, operations between UE115-a and base station 105-a may be transmitted in a different order than shown, or operations performed by base station 105-a and UE115-a may be performed in a different order or at a different time. Certain operations may also be omitted from the process flow 500 or other operations may be added to the process flow 500. It should be understood that although base station 105-a and UE115-a are shown performing various operations of process flow 500, any wireless device may perform the operations shown.

At 505, in some cases, the UE115-a may determine a communication beam. In some examples, determining the communication beam may include identifying one or more candidate beams based on one or more signals (e.g., downlink signals) received by the UE 115-a. The UE115-a may determine respective PDE characteristics for each of the candidate beams and may select a communication beam from the candidate communication beams. The UE115-a may select a communication beam (e.g., assuming the shadow band is being used) based on PDE characteristics of the candidate beam. In some cases, the UE115-a may select a communication beam based on an uplink grant for the UE115-a, or a power level of the UE115-a, or a projected PDE (e.g., detector-based or non-detector-based) of the communication beam, or a combination thereof. In some cases, UE115-a may implement a detector. Based on the presence of the detector (e.g., using the detector), the UE115-a may determine the PDE level of the communication beam. The UE115-a may select a communication beam based on the detected PDE level, or the detector characterization, or a combination thereof.

In some implementations, the masking band for the UE115-a may be designed to change (e.g., reduce) the PD profile of each communication beam (i.e., transmit beam) at the UE 115-a. For example, the masking band may be designed based on PD characteristics and beam characteristics at the UE115-a to reduce the PDE while maintaining (e.g., maximizing) beam coverage for the UE 115-a. The PDE of the communication may depend on the communication beam selected by the UE115-a, and the UE115-a may therefore select the communication beam in order to meet the PDE threshold requirement, limit the PDE, and so on. The UE115-a may also select a communication beam based on the masking band. The UE115-a may take the masking band into account for communication beam selection based on the beam-specific PDE. For example, the OEM may measure the PD profile for each beam for a given device that has the shield band installed, and may store this information at the UE115-a, or may otherwise provide this information to the UE115-a (e.g., via signaling from the base station 105-a). In this manner, the masking band may be taken into account for characterization of the PD profile of each communication beam of UE115-a, and UE115-a may select a communication beam for transmission based on the PD profile characterization (and thus, implicitly based on the masking band).

At 510, the UE115-a may determine a transmit power of a communication beam for the UE115-a based on a PDE threshold for the communication beam and a masking band that encompasses the set of antenna elements and extends outward from the first surface of the antenna module. In some examples, the antenna module may include a shielding strip, or the antenna module may be mounted to a housing of the UE115-a, and the shielding strip may be part of the housing of the UE 115-a. In one example, the UE115-a may identify a PDE limit or threshold and may use the attributes of the masking band with the masking band in place (e.g., based on the presence of the masking band) to determine a transmit power that may satisfy the PDE limit or threshold. In some cases, the transmit power based on the PDE threshold and the masking band may be higher than the transmit power based on the PDE threshold alone (e.g., if the UE115-a does not have the masking band, or if the masking band is not present or present on the UE 115-a).

In one example, the UE115-a may determine a preliminary transmit power for an uplink signal (e.g., a mmW and/or a beamformed signal) based on a variety of factors, such as Transmit Power Control (TPC) commands, link budget, field of view of antenna modules, and so on. The UE115-a may compare the preliminary transmit power to a maximum transmit power based on the presence and configuration of the masking band, and may determine the lower of the two as the transmit power.

At 515, the UE115-a may transmit an uplink signal to the base station 105-a using the antenna module and the communication beam according to the determined transmit power. In some cases, UE115-a may transmit an uplink signal by weighting the antenna elements of the antenna module according to a beamforming scheme to establish a beamformed signal. In some cases, the uplink signal (e.g., the beamformed signal) may be a mmW signal.

In some examples, the UE115-a may include one or more additional antenna modules, such as a second antenna module including a second set of antenna elements and a second shielding strip surrounding the second set of antenna elements and extending outward from the second set of antenna elements over a second surface of the second antenna module (e.g., a radiating plane of the second antenna module). Accordingly, the UE115-a may determine a second transmit power for a second communication beam for the UE115-a based on a second PDE threshold for the second communication beam and a second masking band that encompasses a second set of antenna elements, and may transmit a second uplink signal using a second antenna module and the second communication beam based on the determined second transmit power. In some cases, determining the transmit power and identifying the second transmit power may be based on the same TPC mechanism as used for the first antenna module. For example, UE115-a may perform functions similar to those described at 505, 510, and 515 to determine a second transmit power and transmit a second uplink signal.

Fig. 6 shows a block diagram 600 of a device 605 supporting antenna module placement and housing for a reduced PDE in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 605 may be an example of aspects of an antenna module, UE115, or both as described herein. The device 605 may include a receiver 610, a communication manager 615, and a sender 625. The device 605 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

Receiver 610 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, etc.). Information may be passed to other components of device 605. The receiver 610 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver 720 described with reference to fig. 7. Receiver 610 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas (e.g., in an antenna module).

The communication manager 615 may include a transmit power controller 620. In some cases, the communication manager 615 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 710 described herein. The communication manager 615 may be implemented at the UE. The transmit power controller 620 may determine the transmit power of the communication beam for the UE based on a PDE threshold for the communication beam for the UE and a shielding band of a set of antenna elements enclosed on a first surface of an antenna module of the UE, the shielding band enclosing the set of antenna elements being above the first surface; and transmitting (e.g., via the transmitter 625) a signal (e.g., an uplink signal, a sidelink signal, etc.) using the communication beam and according to the determined transmit power using the antenna module.

In some examples, the antenna module includes a shielding tape. In some other examples, the antenna module is mounted to a housing of the UE and the shielding strip is part of the housing of the UE or the shielding strip includes at least a portion of the housing of the UE.

In some cases, the transmit power controller 620 may additionally identify a maximum transmit power for the communication beam based on a PDE threshold for the communication beam and a masking band that encompasses the set of antenna elements, wherein the transmit power is determined based on the identified maximum transmit power.

In some cases, transmit power controller 620 may additionally identify one or more candidate communication beams for the UE; determining a respective PDE characteristic for each of the one or more candidate communication beams; and selecting a communication beam from the one or more candidate communication beams. In some cases, the communication beam includes a first PDE characteristic, and the transmit power for the communication beam is determined based on the first PDE characteristic, and the communication beam is selected based on at least: an uplink grant for the UE, or a power level of the UE, or a projected PDE of the communication beam, or a first PDE characteristic, or a combination thereof. The first PDE characteristic may be based on the design of the masking strip. In some examples, the UE includes a detector, and the detector may detect a PDE level of a communication beam, wherein the communication beam is selected based on the detected PDE level.

In some cases, the transmit power controller 620 may additionally determine a second transmit power for a second communication beam for the UE based on a second PDE threshold for the second communication beam for the UE and a second shielding strip of a second set of antenna elements of a second antenna module encompassing the UE, the second shielding strip extending outward from the second set of antenna elements over a second surface of the second antenna module. In some of these cases, the communication manager 615 may transmit (e.g., via the transmitter 625) a second signal using a second antenna module and a second communication beam based on the determined second transmit power. In some examples, the determination of the transmit power and the determination of the second transmit power may be based on the same transmit power control mechanism (e.g., transmit power controller 620).

The communication manager 615 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 710 described herein. The actions performed by the communication manager 615 as described herein may be implemented to realize one or more potential advantages. For example, a shielding band around the set of antenna elements of the antenna module may reduce PDE due to transmission by the antenna module. Thus, the UE115 may achieve a greater maximum transmit power for the antenna module while maintaining consistency with the maximum PDE threshold based on the masking band. This greater maximum transmit power supports UE115 for more reliable transmissions (e.g., uplink transmissions, sidelink transmissions, etc.) since UE115 may select a greater transmit power value for transmissions in busy or unreliable channels.

Based on transmitting using a transmit power selected according to a larger maximum transmit power, a processor of UE115 (e.g., control receiver 610, communication manager 615, transmitter 625, etc.) may reduce processing resources for retransmission and/or PD sensing. For example, implementing a shielding band around the antenna elements of the antenna module may improve the transmission reliability of the UE115 due to the greater maximum transmit power supported by the UE115 (e.g., while maintaining the PDE level below the maximum PDE threshold). Thus, the UE115 may reduce the number of retransmissions used to successfully send the message. Reducing the number of retransmissions may reduce the number of times the processor ramps up processing power and turns on the processing unit to handle uplink and/or sidelink message encoding and transmission. The reduced number of retransmissions may also reduce signaling overhead (e.g., in addition to reducing processing overhead at the processor) on the uplink channel, the sidelink channel, or both. Furthermore, the shielding tape may reduce the PD distribution outside the field of view of the antenna module. Due to the effect of the shielding tape, the UE115 may reduce or not implement sensing outside the field of view of the antenna module at all. Reducing the sensing operation may reduce the power overhead associated with the PD sensor.

The communication manager 615, or subcomponents thereof, may be implemented in hardware, code executed by a processor (e.g., software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communication manager 615 or subcomponents thereof may be performed by a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure.

The communication manager 615, or subcomponents thereof, may be physically located at various locations, including being distributed such that some of the functionality is implemented by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, the communication manager 615, or subcomponents thereof, may be separate and distinct components in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the communication manager 615, or subcomponents thereof, may be combined with one or more other hardware components, including but not limited to an input/output (I/O) component, a transceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or more other components described in the present disclosure, or combinations thereof, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

The transmitter 625 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device 605. In some examples, the transmitter 625 may be collocated with the receiver 610 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 625 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver 720 described with reference to fig. 7. The transmitter 625 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas (e.g., in an antenna module).

Fig. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a system 700 including a device 705 supporting antenna module placement and housing for a reduced PDE according to aspects of the present disclosure. The device 705 may be an example of a device 605 or UE115 or include components of a device 605 or UE115 as described herein. Device 705 may include components for two-way voice and data communications, including components for sending and receiving communications, including a communications manager 710, an I/O controller 715, a transceiver 720, an antenna 725, a memory 730, a processor 740, and an antenna module 750. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses, such as bus 745.

The communication manager 710 may be implemented at the UE115 (e.g., as part of the antenna module 750 or supporting the antenna module 750). The communication manager 710 may determine the transmit power of the communication beam for the UE115 based on the PDE threshold for the communication beam for the UE115 and a shielding strip 755 encompassing a set of antenna elements on a first surface of an antenna module 750 of the UE115, the shielding strip 755 encompassing the set of antenna elements being above the first surface. The communication manager 710 may transmit an uplink signal using the antenna module 750 using a communication beam and according to the determined transmission power.

I/O controller 715 may manage input and output signals for device 705. I/O controller 715 may also manage peripheral devices that are not integrated into device 705. In some cases, I/O controller 715 may present to an external peripheral deviceThe physical connection or port. In some cases, I/O controller 715 may utilize an operating system, such as

Or another known operating system. In other cases, I/O controller 715 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or similar device. In some cases, I/O controller 715 may be implemented as part of a processor. In some cases, a user may interact with device 705 via I/O controller 715 or via hardware components controlled by I/O controller 715.

The transceiver 720 may communicate bi-directionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links as described above. For example, transceiver 720 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 720 may also include a modem to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to the antennas for transmission, as well as demodulate packets received from the antennas.

In some cases, the wireless device may include a single antenna 725. However, in some cases, the device may have more than one antenna 725, the antenna 725 being capable of simultaneously sending or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The antenna 725 may be an example of an antenna element or set of antenna elements, and the antenna 725 may be a component of an antenna module 750 that is placed and/or housed within the UE115 (e.g., device 705) to reduce the PDE.

Memory 730 may include Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM). The memory 730 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 735, including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform various functions described herein. In some cases, memory 730 may contain, among other things, a basic I/O system (BIOS) that may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

Processor 740 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general processor, DSP, Central Processing Unit (CPU), microcontroller, ASIC, FPGA, programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 740 may be configured to operate the memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into processor 740. Processor 740 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 730) to cause device 705 to perform various functions.

Code 735 may include instructions for implementing aspects of the present disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communications. Code 735 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as system memory or other type of memory. In some cases, code 735 may not be directly executable by processor 740, but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein.

The antenna module 750 may include a substrate having a first surface and a set of antenna elements (e.g., including an antenna 725) on the first surface. A shield band 755 may surround the set of antenna elements and extend outwardly from the first surface. In some cases, the lower edge of the shield tape 755 can be at or above the first surface.

In some examples, the substrate of the antenna module 750 may include a PCB, where the antenna assembly may be on the PCB and the shield tape 755 may be external to the PCB. For example, the shield tape 755 may be at or above the perimeter of the PCB. In some cases, the PCB may further include a respective plating member surrounding each antenna element of the set of antenna elements, wherein the plating member is on the PCB.

In some cases, the antenna module 750 may be mounted within or on a housing of the UE115 (e.g., the device 705), and the shielding tape 755 may be part of the housing of the UE 115. In some cases, the housing may include a shield tape 755 or a portion of the shield tape 755. For example, an upper edge of the shield tape 755 may be configured to be flush with a housing of the UE115 (e.g., the device 705).

In some cases, the height of the shield tape 755 from the first surface may be based on at least the following: a predetermined PDE threshold (e.g., a maximum PDE threshold), a field of view of the set of antenna elements, a field of view of the sensor, or a combination thereof. The shielding strip 755 may be electrically coupled to the ground plane of the antenna module 750 or electrically isolated from the ground plane of the antenna module 750.

In some examples, the antenna module 750 may also include one or more electronic components mounted on a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface. In some cases, the set of antenna elements includes a set of patch antennas forming an antenna array.

In some implementations, the UE115 (e.g., the device 705) may include a housing having an outer surface. The antenna module 750 may be mounted within the housing such that the first surface of the substrate of the antenna module 750 is recessed from the outer surface of the housing from the radiation direction of the antenna module 750. The shielding tape 755 may surround the set of antenna elements of the antenna module 750 and extend outwardly from the first surface of the substrate. The shield tape 755 may be a component of the antenna module 750 or the housing of the UE 115. The upper edge of the shielding strip 755 may be located at or below the outer surface in the radiation direction and may be above the set of antenna elements. For example, as described with reference to fig. 4, the upper edge of the shield tape 755 can be at or below the top side of the outer surface of the housing (e.g., in the Z-direction).

In some examples, an exterior surface of the UE115 (e.g., the device 705) may include a screen oriented on a first side of the antenna module 750 and a back surface oriented on a second side of the antenna module 750 opposite the screen, the back surface including a first conductive surface. The UE115 may additionally include a second conductive surface oriented on a first side of the antenna module 750 opposite the back surface, wherein the screen includes the second conductive surface, or the second conductive surface is mounted to a back side of the screen.

In some examples, the UE115 may also include a sensor for measuring the PDE, where the height of the masking strip 755 from the first surface may be based on the field of view of the sensor.

Fig. 8 shows a flow diagram illustrating a method 800 of supporting antenna module placement and housing for a reduced PDE according to aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 800 may be implemented by UE115 or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of method 800 may be performed by a communication manager as described with reference to fig. 6 and 7. In some examples, the UE may execute the set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described below.

At 805, the UE may determine a transmit power of a communication beam for the UE based on a PDE threshold for the communication beam for the UE and a shielding band of a set of antenna elements enclosed on a first surface of an antenna module of the UE, the shielding band enclosing the set of antenna elements being above the first surface. The operations of 805 may be performed according to methods described herein. The operations of 805 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 805 may be performed by a transmit power controller as described with reference to fig. 6 and 7.

At 810, the UE may transmit an uplink signal using the antenna module using the communication beam and according to the determined transmit power. The operations of 810 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 810 may be performed by a transmit power controller as described with reference to fig. 6 and 7.

Fig. 9 shows a flow diagram illustrating a method 900 of supporting antenna module placement and housing for a reduced PDE in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 900 may be implemented by UE115 or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of method 900 may be performed by a communication manager as described with reference to fig. 6 and 7. In some examples, the UE may execute the set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described below.

At 905, the UE may identify one or more candidate communication beams of the UE (e.g., based on one or more received signals). The operations of 905 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 905 may be performed by a transmit power controller as described with reference to fig. 6 and 7.

At 910, the UE may determine a respective PDE characteristic for each of the one or more candidate communication beams. The operations of 910 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 910 may be performed by a transmit power controller as described with reference to fig. 6 and 7.

At 915, the UE may select a communication beam from the one or more candidate communication beams, wherein the communication beam includes the first PDE characteristic. A communication beam may be selected based on at least: an uplink grant for the UE, or a power level of the UE, or a projected PDE of the communication beam, or a first PDE characteristic, or a combination thereof. The operations of 915 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 915 may be performed by a transmitter, transceiver, and/or antenna module as described with reference to fig. 6 and 7.

At 920, the UE may determine a transmit power of a communication beam for the UE based on a PDE threshold for the communication beam for the UE and a masking band of a set of antenna elements enclosed on a first surface of an antenna module of the UE, wherein determining the transmit power for the communication beam may also be based on the first PDE characteristic. The operations of 905 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 905 may be performed by a transmit power controller as described with reference to fig. 6 and 7.

At 925, the UE may transmit an uplink signal using the antenna module using the communication beam and according to the determined transmit power. The operations of 925 may be performed according to methods described herein. The operations of 910 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 910 may be performed by a transmit power controller as described with reference to fig. 6 and 7.

It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, and that the operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified, and that other implementations are possible. Further, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.

The following describes multiple embodiments of a method, system, or apparatus, including means for implementing a method or implementing an apparatus, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to implement a method, and a system including one or more processors and memory coupled with the one or more processors, the memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the system or apparatus to implement a method. Embodiments may include device embodiments such as antenna modules, UEs, or both. It should be understood that these are just some examples of possible embodiments, and that other examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Example 1: an antenna module, comprising: a substrate having a first surface; a plurality of antenna elements on the first surface; and a shielding strip surrounding the plurality of antenna elements and extending outwardly from the first surface of the substrate, wherein an upper edge of the shielding strip is above the plurality of antenna elements.

Example 2: the antenna module of embodiment 1, wherein the lower edge of the shielding tape is at or above the first surface of the substrate.

Example 3: the antenna module according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the substrate includes a PCB on which the plurality of antenna elements are on, and the shield tape is outside the PCB.

Example 4: the antenna module of embodiment 3, wherein the PCB further comprises: a plating member surrounding each of the plurality of antenna elements, wherein the plating member is formed on the PCB.

Example 5: the antenna module of embodiment 3 or 4, wherein the shielding tape is at or above a perimeter of the PCB.

Example 6: the antenna module of any of embodiments 1-5, wherein an upper edge of the shielding strip is configured to be flush with a housing of the UE.

Example 7: the antenna module of any of embodiments 1-6, wherein a height of the shielding tape from the first surface of the substrate is based at least in part on: a predetermined PDE threshold, or a field of view of a plurality of antenna elements, or a field of view of a sensor, or a combination thereof.

Example 8: the antenna module of any of embodiments 1-7, wherein the shield strap is electrically coupled to a ground plane of the antenna module.

Example 9: the antenna module of any of embodiments 1-7, wherein the shielding strip is electrically isolated from a ground plane of the antenna module.

Example 10: the antenna module according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, further comprising: one or more electronic components mounted on a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface of the substrate.

Example 11: the antenna module of any of embodiments 1-10, wherein the plurality of antenna elements comprises at least a plurality of patch antennas, or a plurality of slot antennas, or a plurality of dipole antennas, or a combination thereof, forming an antenna array.

Example 12: a UE, comprising: a housing having an outer surface; an antenna module mounted within the housing, wherein the antenna module includes a plurality of antenna elements on a first surface of the substrate; and a shielding strip surrounding the plurality of antenna elements and extending outwardly from the first surface of the substrate, wherein an upper edge of the shielding strip is above the plurality of antenna elements.

Example 13: the UE of embodiment 12, wherein the first surface of the substrate is recessed from an outer surface of the housing from a radiation direction of the antenna module.

Example 14: the UE of embodiment 12 or 13, wherein a lower edge of the shielding tape is at or above the first surface of the substrate.

Example 15: the UE of any of embodiments 12 to 14, wherein the antenna module comprises a shielding strip, or the housing comprises a portion of a shielding strip.

Example 16: the UE of any of embodiments 12-15, wherein the outer surface of the housing comprises a screen oriented on a first side of the antenna module and a back surface oriented on a second side of the antenna module opposite the screen, the back surface comprising a first conductive surface.

Example 17: the UE of embodiment 16, further comprising: a second conductive surface oriented on the first side of the antenna module opposite the back surface, wherein the screen comprises the second conductive surface, or the second conductive surface is mounted on the back side of the screen.

Example 18: the UE of any of embodiments 12 to 17, wherein a height of the shielding tape from the first surface of the substrate is based at least in part on: a predetermined PDE threshold, or a field of view of a plurality of antenna elements, or a combination thereof.

Example 19: the UE according to any of embodiments 12 to 18, further comprising: a sensor for measuring a PDE, wherein a height of the shield strip from the first surface of the substrate is based at least in part on a field of view of the sensor.

Example 20: the UE of any of embodiments 12-19, wherein the shield strap is electrically coupled to a ground plane of the antenna module.

Example 21: the UE of any of embodiments 12-19, wherein the shielding strip is electrically isolated from a ground plane of the antenna module.

Example 22: the UE of any of embodiments 12 to 21, wherein the plurality of antenna elements comprises a plurality of patch antennas forming an antenna array.

Example 23: the UE of any of embodiments 12-22, wherein an upper edge of the shielding strip is at or below an outer surface of the housing in a radiation direction of the antenna module.

Example 24: a method for wireless communication at a UE, comprising: determining a transmit power of a communication beam for the UE based at least in part on a PDE threshold of the communication beam for the UE and a masking band surrounding the plurality of antenna elements; and transmitting an uplink signal using the antenna module using the communication beam and according to the determined transmission power.

Example 25: the method of embodiment 24, further comprising: identifying a maximum transmit power for the communication beam based at least in part on a PDE threshold for the communication beam and a shielding band encompassing the plurality of antenna elements, wherein the transmit power is determined based at least in part on the identified maximum transmit power.

Example 26: the method of embodiment 24 or 25, further comprising: identifying one or more candidate communication beams for the UE; determining a respective PDE characteristic for each of the one or more candidate communication beams; and selecting a communication beam from the one or more candidate communication beams, wherein the communication beam comprises a first PDE characteristic, determining a transmit power for the communication beam based at least in part on the first PDE characteristic, and selecting the communication beam based at least in part on at least: an uplink grant for the UE, or a power level of the UE, or a projected PDE of the communication beam, or a first PDE characteristic, or a combination thereof.

Example 27: the method according to any of embodiments 24-26, wherein the UE comprises a detector, the method further comprising: detecting a PDE level of a communication beam, wherein the communication beam is selected based at least in part on the detected PDE level.

Example 28: the method of any of embodiments 24-27, wherein the antenna module comprises a shielding tape.

Example 29: the method according to any of embodiments 24 to 28, wherein the UE comprises a second antenna module comprising: a second substrate having a second surface and a second plurality of antenna elements on the second surface; and a second shielding strip surrounding the second plurality of antenna elements and extending outwardly from the second surface, the method further comprising: determining a second transmit power for a second communication beam for the UE based at least in part on a second PDE threshold for the second communication beam for the UE and a second masking band encompassing a second plurality of antenna elements; and transmitting a second uplink signal using a second antenna module and a second communication beam based at least in part on the determined second transmit power.

Example 30: an apparatus for wireless communication at a UE, comprising: the antenna module of any one of embodiments 24-29, comprising a substrate having a first surface and a plurality of antenna elements on the first surface; and the shielding tape of any one of embodiments 24 to 29, the shielding tape surrounding the plurality of antenna elements and extending outwardly from the first surface; a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and operable when executed by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform the method of any of embodiments 24 to 29.

Example 31: an apparatus comprising at least one means for performing the method of any one of embodiments 24-29.

Example 32: a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method of any of embodiments 24-29.

Although aspects of an LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro or NR system may be described for purposes of example, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro or NR terminology may be used in many descriptions, the techniques described herein may be applicable outside of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro or NR networks. For example, the described techniques may be applicable to various other wireless communication systems such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)802.11(Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16(WiMAX), IEEE802.20, Flash-OFDM, and other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

The information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the specification may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hard-wired, or a combination of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at different locations, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.

Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (eeprom), flash memory, Compact Disc (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of computer-readable medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes CD, laser disc, optical disc, Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

As used herein, including in the claims, "or" used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items beginning with a phrase such as at least one of "or one or more of". a.. a.) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B or C represents a or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., a and B and C). Further, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be construed as a reference to a closed condition set. For example, an exemplary step described as "based on condition a" may be based on both condition a and condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "based, at least in part, on".

In the drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference numerals. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference numeral is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference numeral, irrespective of the second reference numeral or other subsequent reference numerals.

The description set forth herein in connection with the drawings describes example configurations and is not intended to represent all examples that may be implemented or within the scope of the claims. The term "exemplary" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," and not "preferred" or "superior to other examples. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described technology. However, the techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

The description herein is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An antenna module, comprising:

a substrate having a first surface;

a plurality of antenna elements on the first surface; and

a shielding tape surrounding the plurality of antenna elements and extending outwardly from the first surface of the substrate, wherein an upper edge of the shielding tape is above the plurality of antenna elements.

2. The antenna module of claim 1, wherein a lower edge of the shielding tape is at or above the first surface of the substrate.

3. The antenna module of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), the plurality of antenna elements are on the PCB, and the shielding tape is external to the PCB.

4. The antenna module of claim 3, wherein the PCB further comprises:

a plating member surrounding each of the plurality of antenna elements, wherein the plating member is on the PCB.

5. The antenna module of claim 3, wherein the shielding strip is at or above a perimeter of the PCB.

6. The antenna module of claim 1, wherein the upper edge of the shielding strip is configured to be flush with a housing of a User Equipment (UE).

7. The antenna module of claim 1, wherein a height of the shielding tape from the first surface of the substrate is based at least in part on: a predetermined power density exposure threshold, or a field of view of the plurality of antenna elements, or a field of view of a sensor, or a combination thereof.

8. The antenna module of claim 1, wherein the shield strap is electrically coupled to a ground plane of the antenna module.

9. The antenna module of claim 1, wherein the shielding strip is electrically isolated from a ground plane of the antenna module.

10. The antenna module of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more electronic components mounted on a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface of the substrate.

11. The antenna module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of antenna elements comprises at least a plurality of patch antennas, or a plurality of slot antennas, or a plurality of dipole antennas, or a combination thereof, forming an antenna array.

12. A User Equipment (UE), comprising:

a housing having an outer surface;

an antenna module mounted within the housing, wherein the antenna module includes a plurality of antenna elements on a first surface of a substrate; and

13. The UE of claim 12, wherein the first surface of the substrate is recessed from the outer surface of the housing from a radiation direction of the antenna module.

14. The UE of claim 12, wherein a lower edge of the shielding tape is at or above the first surface of the substrate.

15. The UE of claim 12, wherein the antenna module comprises the shielding tape, or the housing comprises a portion of the shielding tape.

16. The UE of claim 12, wherein the exterior surface of the housing comprises a screen oriented on a first side of the antenna module and a back surface oriented on a second side of the antenna module opposite the screen, the back surface comprising a first conductive surface.

17. The UE of claim 16, further comprising:

a second conductive surface oriented on the first side of the antenna module opposite the back surface, wherein the screen includes the second conductive surface or the second conductive surface is mounted on a back side of the screen.

18. The UE of claim 12, wherein a height of the shielding tape from the first surface of the substrate is based at least in part on: a predetermined power density exposure threshold, or a field of view of the plurality of antenna elements, or a combination thereof.

19. The UE of claim 12, further comprising:

a sensor for measuring power density exposure, wherein a height of the masking strip from the first surface of the substrate is based at least in part on a field of view of the sensor.

20. The UE of claim 12, wherein the shield strap is electrically coupled to a ground plane of the antenna module.

21. The UE of claim 12, wherein the shielding strip is electrically isolated from a ground plane of the antenna module.

22. The UE of claim 12, wherein the plurality of antenna elements comprises a plurality of patch antennas forming an antenna array.

23. The UE of claim 12, wherein the upper edge of the shielding strip is at or below the outer surface of the housing in a radiating direction of the antenna module.

24. An apparatus for wireless communication at a User Equipment (UE), comprising:

an antenna module comprising a substrate having a first surface and a plurality of antenna elements on the first surface;

a shield band surrounding the plurality of antenna elements and extending outwardly from the first surface;

a processor;

a memory coupled with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory and operable when executed by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

determining a transmit power for a communication beam for the UE based at least in part on a power density exposure threshold of the communication beam and the masking band surrounding the plurality of antenna elements; and

transmitting an uplink signal using the antenna module using the communication beam and according to the determined transmit power.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

identifying a maximum transmit power for the communication beam based at least in part on the power density exposure threshold for the communication beam and the masking band surrounding the plurality of antenna elements, wherein the transmit power is determined based at least in part on the identified maximum transmit power.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

identifying one or more candidate communication beams for the UE;

determining a respective power density exposure characteristic for each of the one or more candidate communication beams; and

selecting the communication beam from the one or more candidate communication beams, wherein the communication beam comprises a first power density exposure characteristic, determining the transmit power for the communication beam based at least in part on the first power density exposure characteristic, and selecting the communication beam based at least in part on at least: an uplink grant for the UE, or a power level of the UE, or a projected power density exposure of the communication beam, or the first power density exposure characteristic, or a combination thereof.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising:

a detector, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

detecting a power density exposure level of the communication beam, wherein the communication beam is selected based at least in part on the detected power density exposure level.

28. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the antenna module comprises the shielding tape.

29. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising:

a second antenna module comprising a second substrate having a second surface and a second plurality of antenna elements on the second surface; and

a second shielding strip surrounding the second plurality of antenna elements and extending outward from the second surface, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

determining a second transmit power for a second communication beam for the UE based at least in part on a second power density exposure threshold for the second communication beam and the second masking band that encompasses the second plurality of antenna elements; and

transmitting a second uplink signal using the second antenna module and the second communication beam based at least in part on the determined second transmit power.

30. A method for wireless communication at a User Equipment (UE), comprising:

determining a transmit power for a communication beam for the UE based at least in part on a power density exposure threshold of the communication beam and a shielding band of a plurality of antenna elements enclosed on a first surface of an antenna module of the UE, the shielding band enclosing the plurality of antenna elements above the first surface; and